National
newspapers

Traditionally newspapers could be divided into 'quality',
serious-minded newspapers (usually referred to as 'broadsheets' due
to their large size) and 'tabloids', or less serious newspapers.
But these definitions no longer apply, as several 'quality' papers
in Scotland have followed the lead of The
Independent, by adopting a tabloid format (which they
prefer to refer to as 'compact' to avoid being associated with
their more downmarket peers). In Scotland two broadsheet newspapers
have made the switch to 'compact' format. The Scotsman did
so in August 2004, and the Sunday Herald followed in November
2005.

In addition to newspapers published in Scotland, including
Scottish editions of UK newspapers, a number of national newspapers
published in other parts of the Britsh Isles are widely
available.

The Press and Journal, Aberdeen-based, but popular throughout
northern Scotland (from Fife and Stirling and all areas
northwards). Also currently enjoys higher readership than The
Scotsman and The Herald.